The Dillon tribune., 1887-01-28

hsin's ccu,in' on no more. They've he'd enud
they Ley. Two Of their best men d,opt int
blue liazes on the first jump will take all tn
aidse OF the- appetite for larlss. know
EN-"
But they will come on. They'll pursue Us
They'll II never let US go now" Sid Harry. re
loading bis gun with hands trembling from
the excrtion and excitement.
He was yet too young a soldier to unt-.r
, stand that his enemy's fright IaiSk: Re create,
. than bis own.
syary a tim. tLey won't, said the stranger
derisively. "1hcrn fellers are jest Ike lnjuns:
they're red hot till one or two gets knocked
over, an then they cool down nouty student.
Why. ne an two others stopt tbs whole OF
Zollicoirer's army for two days by shootin'
! the officer in command of the advance guard
| jest ez Siey war comm up tn. hill this side
| of Earbouraville. Fact! They'd a been at
! Wildcat last Friday ef we hedn't s!:eered EN-
So They s:ort an hunted the whole country
round for bus!,whackers aforc they'd move
airy other STEP
but who are your" asked Harry, looking
again at his companions butte:nut garb.
I'm called Long Jim FORMER, an I've tho
name % lein' the pizcnext Union man in the
Kockasscl mountains. Thars good s'tifikit
o my p'l:tical principles pointing with his
thumb tn whore lay the men who had fallen
under .l:ci:. Lullcts,. Harry looked again in
that direction. Part Of the squad were look
ing arpreh1 ,:sively toward him, az il they
feared a voley from bu<hwhackers concealed
near him. and others were taking from the
bodies of the dead che weapons. belts aid
oth.r nri ;"es which it was not best 10 leave
for thu rsl,rsucls, and still others were point
Ing to the rapidly growing distance between
then, and tn main body, apparently adjur-
ing haste in following.
Iis. great mental and bodily strain Harry
Lal undergone since be had first heard the
souid of cannon in the morning at the foot of
Wildcat should have made him desperately
weary. But the sight of the man falling be-
fore lis gun bad fermented in lis blood
fierce intoxication, as unknown, as unsus-
l'ccted before a. tho passion of love had been
Leforo its first keen transports thrilled his
Heart Like that ecstacy. this fever now con-
sumed him. All fear Of ha:r. to himself vail
i5iled in its flame. He had actually Slain one
enemy Why not another: lie raised his
inus!.ct The mountai,,oer laid his hand upon
ii.
NO. he said, "tI.at's no: the game to hunt
They'll do when thar's nothn' batter to BE-
led, but now powder an lead kin 10 used to
Eorc advantage. Besides they're cutcn
range o your smooth bore now. Come.
AS Foitner threw his rifle across bis shout
Ger Harry looked at it curiously It had q
long, heavy. six sided barrel, with largo
bore, double triggers AMI a sayly striped hic;.
oIy iTlmrsal in its thimbles The stock, Of
fine, curly rock maple, was ornamcnted with
silver stars and crcsccnts, and in tho brcech
were cunning little receptacles for tow and
patches and other rifle necessaries, each closed
by polished silver cover that shut with q
snap. 1t was evidently the triumph Of some
renowned Kentucky gunsmith's skill.
Tho mountaincer's foot was on the soil te
lad trodden since childhood, and Harry
found it quite difficult to keep pace with his
strong, quick stride. His step landed firm
and sure on the sloping surfaces, where Harry
slipped or sliamblcd. Clingjng vines and
sharp briers were avoided without an appar.
ent effort, where every one grasped Harry or
tore his face and hands.
The instinct Of the wolf or the panther
seemed to lead Fortner by the shortest courses
through the painless woods to where be came
lnlTrccivcd close upon the flank OF the mas;
of halass4d fugitives. Then creeping behind
convenient tree with the supple lightncss Of
The leopard crouching for spring. he scanned
with eager eyes the mounted officers within
'ansc. Selecting his prey no u,uttercd:
FAINT him, but he'll hev to do, this time"
Tue weapon rang out sharply. The stricken
officer threw up his sword arm, his bride arm
'lutched his saddle polnmcl, az If resisting tho
attempt OF death to unholse him. Then tho
muscles all relaxed, and hc fell into tho arms
81 these who had hurried to him.
larry fired into the .:sass the next instant;
~" random shots replad, and another I'M
etus OF fear spuvre<l tn, mob onward.
fortner md Harry sped away to an.
'thcr point OF interruption, where tn. Same
'ccnc was repeated, and then to another. and
hen to third, Fortner muttering after each
bot his disappointment ut not finding the ono |
"hcEi be unxio,,sly sought.
hen they hurried away the third time
hey were compelled to make wide circuit.
or tn" little valley suddenly broa,lene,l out
nto q considerable plain. Upon this tie lcr-
'rawnont line OF fugitives gathered in a com
act. turlnoiing mass
That's Little Rockassel ford" said Fort
!ci', pointing. with his left hand to the base of
~" mountain that ross stccply above the
a'lhar s!uo Of the con:notion "That's |
liock;iSscl mountain runnin' up thar inter the
'iou!s. Iha Little tockassel river runs
'"und hits foot. That's what's a.stopDin'
EN-. lhry'n hev u turrikle timo cittin'
''ff"i INT. HITS monty hard crossill' at enuy
tiA'r. hut 'ati awful now, fur tho Itockasscl's
'ooHlin. The big rains hcv sent her up
sH'a' an hits now breast deep thar in tbs
lord. Wen git round whar we kin geo hit
ALL >
Another wide detour to keep themselves in
Ihe colcca!incnt of tn. woods BROUGHT Fort.
lcr and Harry out upon an ucclivity tina:
almost "vcrhun. the ford and those gathered
around it. Tn" two unionists crawlcd eau.
|l"''slT through the ccdars and laurel to TIL,
very edge Of the cliff and looked Town unon
heir enemies. They were 20 near that every
thing was plainly visible and tho hum Of con.